Kate Middleton to hand out shamrocks to Irish Guard on St. Patrick’s Day

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge aka Kate Middleton and Prince WilliamRAMEY

Kate Middleton, now Duchess Catherine of Cambridge, is set for her first solo military engagement on St. Patrick’s Day (17th March).

Middleton will hand out shamrocks to 40 officers and warrant officers who will then issue them to the Irish Guards. Prince William holds the rank of colonel in the regiment and wore the red Irish guard uniform on their wedding day.

The Belfast Newsletter reports that this is a century old tradition started by Queen Alexandra, the wife of King Edward the VII, in 1901.

During the event 450 soldiers will march into the square at the Mons Barracks at Aldershot in wearing their scarlet tunics and bearskin hats.

The Band of the Irish Guards will follow them along with Conmael, the Irish Wolf Hound regimental mascot. He will also receive a sprig of shamrock from Kate.

On 19th March Kate will undertake her first public speech at the opening of The Treehouse, a hospice service in Suffolk and Essex.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge aka Kate Middleton and Prince WilliamRAMEY